Combination manicure article.



R. M. LUCE. COMBINATION MANIGURE ARTICLE. APPLICATION FILED 001'. 28, 1909. RENEWED AUG 9, 1910.

9?} ,5? Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

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Application filed October 23, 1909, Serial No. 524,229. Renewed August 9, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REGINALD M. LUon, a citizen of the" United States, residing at Denver, in the' county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Mani-' cure Articles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in manicure implements of the general type disclosed in the patents to Richard W. Stewart, No. 190,989, dated May 22, 1877, and A. McDonald, No. 228,660, dated June 8th, 1880.

One object of the invention is to provide an implement of the character described which overcomes a defect incident to the con-' structions disclosed in the aforesaid patents, to wit, that of relying upon a spring grip of the handle sections to hold the tool in adjusted position, and to provide a construc-' tion which insures the firm retention of the; tool in both its open and closed positions and against any tendency of the open tool to double up or close while in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an implement of the character described which may be more firmly and conveniently held in the hand against possibility of slippage, and also to provide one having a greater range of usefulness.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an enlarged side elevation of the implement with the tools in folded or closed positions; Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged cross sections on the lines 22 and 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view looking toward the inner faces of the separated sections of the handle; Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged views of the tools; and Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the opposite sides of the tools.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the sections of a two-part handle, which sections are formed of spring metal preferably provided with flattened inner faces. The central portions 3 of said sections are bowed inwardly and are also formed with outwardly bowed or offset portions 1, terminating in substan- Specification of Letters Patent. A Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

Serial No. 576,390.

tially straight and parallel ends 5. The inner faces of the opposing ends 5 converge slightly in an outward direction and form flaring passages or spaces between them, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, but not necessarily, there is a small bar or rod 9 extending from a central point on section 1 to a central point on section 2, such bar being firmly secured to the sections and making them stationary or rigid at a central point.

The approximate ends 5 of the handle sections are connected by pins or rivets 6 headed at their outer ends and passing through openings in said ends of the handle sections so as to permit the same to have a limited amount of yielding movement toward and from each other, a certain amount of lateral expansion being permitted by the resiliency of the spring metal of which the handle sections are formed. The inner faces of each companion pair of ends 5 are provided with cooperating pairs of transverse notches (one notch in front and one notch in rear of the pivoted point) 7, 7 and 8, 8 at equal distances in opposite directions from the rivet, the notches in the respective handle sections being arranged on opposite sides of the handle and opening through the side edges of the ends 5, there being two notches on one side of one handlesection and two notches on the other side of the other handle section at each end of the handle, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 1. The pin 9 preferably although not necessarily, connects the handle sections at an intermediate point.

Tools 10 and 11 are pivotally mounted upon the respective pivot pins to swing longitudinally of the handle. Each tool is so mounted upon its pivot pin as to provide short arms 12 and 15 and long arms 13 and 16, which short arms 12 and 15 are adapted to respectively project slightly beyond the adjacent end of the handle and which long arms 13 and 16 are adapted to respectively lie between the bowed portions of the handle sections when the tool is in closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the two tools are of such relative lengths and widths that their long arms will overlap and lie within or substantially within the confines of such bowed portions when both are closed, thus allowing the implement to be compactly folded for convenience in carrying it in the pocket. The short arm 12 of the tool 10 has an acting end preferably in the form of a nail cutter 12 made by cutting a hole transversely through said end and providing the sharpened edge to form a cutter similar to nail cutters heretofore used. The long arm of the tool 10 has an acting end in the form of a nail cleaner blade 13, the latter being preferably round and flat at its outer end. The outer side face or faces, of the long arm 13 of the tool 10 are roughened to form a nail file surface 14. The short arm 15 of the tool 11 has an acting end in the form of a cuticle point 15, while its long arm 16 has an acting end 16, which, as shown is beveled to provide a cutting blade but may be shaped to form a button-hook or any appliance in ordinary daily use. The cuticle point 15 which is employed to press back the flesh at the roots of the nails is preferably composed of a body of orange wood, pearl or other suitable material, having flat sides and a rounded outer end. The inner end of the point 15 is provided with a screw threaded stem 17 tightly fitted in a threaded socket 18 formed in the short arm 15 of the tool 11. Said socket 18 preferably extends into the arm beyond the point where the rivet pin 6 passes through, and if desired the screw threaded stem 17 may be further fastened in the socket by glue or cement so as to hold it securely against any possibility of casual loosening or disconnection from ordinary strains in service. The opposite faces of each tool are respectively provided in front and rear of the pivoted point with rounded bosses or projections 19 and 19 (one projection (19) being in front on one side of the tool and one projection (19) being in rear on the other side of the tool) as clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, to engage and stop in the notches 7 and 7 and 8 and 8. This arrangement being the same at each end of the article. The projections are of proper form and size to enter the notches 7 and 7 and 8 and 8 to effect a locking connection therewith.

By reference to Fig. 1, showing the tool folded or closed for carriage, it will be seen that the acting ends 12 and 15 of the two tools project slightly beyond the ends of the handle, so that they are normally in position for use without prior adjustment, while the acting ends 13 and 16 are normally inclosed between the bowed portions of the handle sections. In such positions of the tools the bosses or projections 19 and 19 respectively engage the notches 7 and 8 at end 12 and 19 and 19 respectively engage the notches 7 and 8 at end 15 and lock the tools against casual opening movement. The strain on the tools when in use is in the same direction as that used in opening or closing the tools in which movement the bosses enter the notches.

hen it is desired to use the acting end 13 of the tool 10, the long arm of the particular tool is grasped and swung outward on an arc of 180, whereby the positions of the ends of said tool are reversed, the end of the long arm projecting beyond the end of the handle for use. In this movement of the tool the projection 19 moves out of the notch 7 and into the notch 7' in section 1 at end 12, and the projection 19 .moves out of the notch 8 and into the notch 8, in section 2 at end 12, and said projections engage the notches 7 and 8 when the tool is in longitudinal alinement with the handle to prevent casual collapse or folding or further movement of the tool when in use. And when it is desired to use acting end 16 of tool 11 the long arm of the particular tool is grasped and swung outward 011 an arc of 180, whereby the positions of the ends of said tool are reversed, the end of the long arm projecting beyond the end of the handle for use. In this movement of the tool pro-- jection 19 moves out of notch 7 and into notch 7 111 section 1 at end 15, and pro ectron 19 moves out of notch 8 and into notch '8 in section 2 at end 15, and said projections engage the notches 7 and 8 when the tool in longitudinal alinement with the handle to prevent casual collapse or folding or further mrwement of the tool when in use. Ends 13 and 16 folding outward from opposite sides of the handle and in reverse opposite directions.

It will be understood that the tapering form of the passages, together with the spring pressure of the ends of the handle sections, which is assisted by the stationary bar or rod connecting the two handle sections at a central point, establishes a certain amount of frictional engagement between the handle sections and tools, and notches and projections, to assist in holding the tools clasped against movement in adjusted posi tion. This frictional grip and spring pressure alone, however, cannot be made sufficiently strong to prevent casual folding of the tools under some conditions of service, with consequent inconvenience and liability of injury to the hands of the user. Hence the frictional engagement is increased by the bar or rod connecting the sections at a central point, thereby increasing the spring pressure at the handle ends, and the projections 19 and 19' engage the notches 7 and 7 and 8 and 8, thus making the connection secure enough to hold the tools against liability of accidental collapse in use, and preventing movement in the direction in which most pressure is brought to bear. The engagement of the projections with the notches makes the holding action more positive and secure and strong enough to prevent movement of the tools in ordinary use, while light enough to enable the operator to release and swing the tools by exerting a determined amount of pressure. It will be noted that the swinging movement of the tools on their pivot pins, when moved from one adjusted posit-ion to the other, is through an arc of approximately one hundred and eighty degrees or a half circle.

My invention provides a construction which not only afiords a greater number of acting surfaces than the patented devices hereinbefore mentioned, thereby increasing the range of usefulness of the tool, but which also overcomes the objections incident thereto in relying solely upon the spring pressure of the handle to hold the tool in position for use. There a strong spring pressure is employed, great strain is thrown upon the fastening and pivot pin, which loosens through wear, destroying the effectiveness of the spring pressure and impairing the efficiency of. the tool. By my construction but a slight relative play of the proximate ends of the handle sections is required, thus relieving the pin from undue strain and wear and prolonging the life of the tool, while the same time altording a safe and sure locking connection between the handle and tools to hold the latter in their adjusted ositions against casual movement. The 0 set portions of the handle also enable a firmer grip to be obtained thereon, as will be readily understood.

Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention itwill be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth and that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details may be resorted to without de parting from the spirit of or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. An implement of the character described comprising a handle formed of a pair of spring strips connected at a central point by a stationary bar or rod and having inwardly bowed intermediate portions and substantially straight and arallel end portions, the latter having shallow notches, pins uniting the end portions on a line between the notches so as to permit said ends to have relative spring actions, and tools pivoted upon said pins and having long and short arms provided with acting ends, said tools being formed adjacent their pivotal points with projections to engage said notches, and prevent movement further than a half circle upon the pins in a rotary direction substantially as described.

2. An implement of the character described comprising a handle formed of a pair of spring strips connected at a central point by a stationary bar or rod and having inwardly bowed intermediate portions and substantially straight and parallel end portions, said ends having their inner faces inclined in outwardly convergent relation and provided with shallow notches, pins uniting the ends of the handle sections on a line between the notches so as to permit said ends to have relative spring action, and tools pivoted upon said pins and having long and short arms provided with acting ends, said tools being formed adjacent their pivotal points with projections to engage said notches, and prevent movement further than a halt circle upon the pins in a rotary direction substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

REGINALD M. LUCE.

Vitnesses EDWARD P. Cos'rIeAN, ADA DWELLE. 

